BY: VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
The Chairman of Bakassi local government area of Cross River state , Hon Iyadim Amboni, has called for logistics support from the federal and state governments to enable the council carry out an aggressive sensitization campaign on the impact of covid-19 because of the peculiarities of the area.
Iyadim made the call during the “Raising Awareness on Coronavirus ( Covid-19) campaign exercise in Bakassi led by the Commissioner for Health and Social Services, Dr Beta Edu
He said as an international border town with many riverine settlements, it was imperative that both state and federal governments assist the council in its effort to create remarkable awareness on the ravaging impact of the pandemic which though, has not been recorded in the area
Iyadim said with the inauguration of the executive arm of the council , contributions from the supporting staff will turn things around, adding that the sterling efforts of the state government should be supported by the federal government to achieve its desired impact .
He noted that covid-19 has come to stay and as it has ravaged every nook of the world and commended Cross River for being the first to introduce ” No Facemask , No Movement”caution in the country , emphasising that the council will extend the efforts of the state government to its littoral areas and beyond
Iyadim stated that though no case of the pandemic has been recorded in the area, there was need for precautionary measures to be observed as the council was determined to join forces with other agencies to create awareness
The Commissioner for Health and Social Services, Dr Beta Edu, who commended Iyadim for creating a difference in the council since assuming office of Chairman, said though Bakassi is one of the flash points in the issue of covid-19 pandemic in the state, she was happy no case has been recorded in the area
She said as a border town, there was need for the people to be adequately armed through washing of hands with water and hand sanitizer and wearing of face masks, noting that the flag off exercise included a surveillance community search in the area.
She assured that facilities in areas with high traffic will be strengthened and new staff allocated as the state intends to partner the council to ensure health services are improved while advising that cases of covid-19 in the area should be preported to the appropriate quarters
The Primary Healt Care Coordinator in the council, Mr Francis Etim , said though the pandemic has not been recorded in the area, there was was to create awareness because of ignorance as so people still believe it does not exist , adding that there was need to observe protocols because of the social and economic problems which the pandemic has caused globally
Etim, however, called for facilities at health centres to be upgraded and the introduction of hazard scheme to staff salaries
Highlight of the campaign included the distribution of facemasks and hand sanitizers at the council and Ekpiri Ikang market
